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Throwback Tuesday (belated Pride edition): The One-Minute Hot Dog

Hi There! I hope everyone is recovering nicely from an amazing weekend of Pride: both national and otherwise.  I'd like to give a big thank you to everyone that organizes these amazing events and parties all across the city and invites us all to join in the fun.  Furthermore, a huge congratulations to all who have fought and continue to fight in order to make our city a safer place for everyone! Strolling down Church street on Friday I couldn't help but be reminded of this "cooking segment" I put together with some friends back when I was at Harbourfront Centre.  Not sure why that is...   ...it was probably all the penises. Love Wins!, -Clayton

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Putting in Work

This studio-building business has been a true challenge across the board financially, emotionally and technically.  Definitely the most difficult project I've attempted.  As such, there have been times that I've had to take on side work in order to maintain momentum.  I've recently taken on a job as the floor manager at East-end auction house A.H. Wilkens and I'm absolutely loving it. It's a really fascinating industry and a surprisingly suitable fit for someone like myself with the bizarre and seemingly random skill-set developed over a decade in fine-craft.  It's about as close as I'm likely to get to having a day-job at the V&A Museum.  Poring-over and documenting entire lifetimes worth of treasures is really satisfying.  Speaking of which,...

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A Spooky Month Full of Birthdays and Taureans

Hiya! I missed a couple posts this month but I have a good excuse I swear!  May seems to get crazier every year as more and more May babies (aside from myself) come into my life.  Essentially the past few weeks have been a non-stop birthday party for young, old and newly born.  Now that it's over, it's back to the wonderful grind of launching this studio!  The best part of the month was visiting the Grand Trunk Railway Tunnel (aka The Blue Ghost Tunnel) of St. Catharines with my lady; the lovely Lana Filippone (another Taurean) for her birthday (she's a brave one).   Some say this is one of, if not the most haunted spot in Canada thanks to...

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Throwback Tuesday: Pulling a Pony!

Hey There! Here a fun video from a few years ago when I was a Resident Artist at Harbourfront Centre here in Toronto.  I learned how to pull these traditional Venetian ponies back when I worked in Niagara Falls as an apprentice under Master Glassblower; Angelo Rossi.  Pulling a pony is seen by some as a bit of a rite-of-passage for a glassblower.  I wonder when Turnstyle Glassblowing Studio is up and running, if I'll still be able to do this!  Hopefully it's like riding a bike.  Enjoy!  Hey, it's my birthday today!   -Clayton

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Back in the Saddle

Hello! I'm happy to say that last night I actually used the glass studio that I've been working on for the past year to make some glass!  I have never gotten emotional over coldworking before but I'm not gonna lie, it was kind of a special moment. Even if I couldn't get a good picture. I'm currently working on a batch of awards for CAMH hospital called the Transforming Lives Awards.  I've made them a few times in the past but this is the first time I've done it in my own space.  Mine!  Feeling pretty great today  More to come! -Clayton Haigh

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